As the grand opening of the Williston Area Recreation Center (ARC), the largest parks district-owned rec center in the nation, lurks in Williston’s very near future, the implications of having such a facility in town are not lost on the Williston Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB).

“As our community expands and becomes unlike anything it has ever been before, this recreation center will create opportunities for Williston we haven’t had in the past,” commented Amy Krueger, Williston CVB Executive Director. “Our job is to bring visitors into town, which keeps our entrepreneurs and business community healthy. The Williston ARC is a huge attraction for our region.”

In addition to many features that will attract families from surrounding communities, such as an indoor water complex, indoor playground and birthday party rooms, the Williston ARC will also offer a venue that can host a myriad of amateur sports events. The fifty meter competition pool with bleacher seating is capable of hosting state meets, and a 200 meter competition track wraps around 4 basketball courts. Combined with the other courts in Williston, the community will soon be capable of hosting multiple tournaments and track meets, even in inclement weather. “When these teams pull into town, they are eating in our restaurants, sleeping in our hotels, and are often followed by parents who spend the day in town,” noted Amy. “Our hotels have rooms to rent; they aren’t full. There are more hotels planning to build, as well. The Williston ARC is an attraction that will help us fill those hotels on a long-term basis.”

The Williston ARC’s grand opening celebration is on March 28 at 4pm. For more information about the ARC, contact the Williston Parks and Recreation District at 774-9773.